Dubai Nightlife | Dubai Bars and Night Clubs

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Jumeirah Beach Hotel - Try the roofdeck restaurant

Dubai is one place where you can’t say much about nightlife ‘off the beaten track’. It doesn’t work like that. This cultural crossroads of East and West and second largest of the UAE is rapidly exchanging its dusty desert for concrete as it becomes one of the most international cities of our time. If you are here as a tourist or on business, you’ll find nightlife that reflects this incredible social and ethnic mix "but it is nearly all located within or managed by hotels…because with a couple of exceptions, it is only hotels that hold alcohol licenses. New hotels are springing up all the time" as the landscape of cranes will testify" and with it new venues, so it is impossible here to give more than a broad feel of what you should expect.

Firstly the rules. If you want alcohol you’ll have to stick to the hotels; the exception to this being the fabulously fun Irish Village and adjacent Century Village up near the airport (close to the Al Bustan and Le Meridien hotels) and the Wafi Centre, where the amazing Pyramid complex is home to some great restaurants and bars including Carter’s and Ginseng The Lounge.

Dubai also has strict laws regarding clubs. They have to close by 3am "no exceptions" you must be 21 to drink alcohol, and 25 to enter a nightclub. Theoretically they are not supposed legally to refuse entrance to anyone, including members only clubs" but a lot of these have very high entrance fees to non members. A lot of clubs are also restricted to couples only, or single ladies….but not single men (which is pretty bad news for the single ladies!). Most single men will also have to pay an entrance fee, although if you hang around outside you’ll probably find a group of ladies that you can go in with for the price of a drink or two!

Generally speaking, Dubai partying is great for women (by the way, the weekend begins on Thursday night, which is when everyone goes out, while Monday is pretty dead). Most pubs, clubs and bars offer regular ladies nights with special offers on drinks (in some cases free). One has to say though that, along with ladies nights, many of the bars and nightclubs are frequented by ladies of the night….albeit reasonably discreetly.

If you’re in Dubai you’re likely to be staying in one of five main areas (depending if your visit is work or play): up around the airport; along Sheikh Zayed Rd; the parallel Jumeirah Beach Rd; Bur Dubai; or Deira. Without exception, the hotels are of an incredible standard and, despite their internationality, allow you to experience a superb range of cuisine from traditional Arabic dishes to Spanish tapas to authentic Italian to TexMex and American burgers. Bars and nightclubs vary from trendy, sophisticated and expensive to casual, relaxed and informal. From the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of The Dubliners Irish pub at Le Meridien to the exclusive Boudoir night spot at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort &Spa to the Arabic themed Kasbaa at the incredible Royal Mirage Hotel (an experience in itself), there truly is something for everyone.

A few highlights not to be missed : Vu’s cocktail bar on Level 51 in the Hotel Tower of the Jumeirah Emirates Towers offers panoramic views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian gulf - as does the Al Dawaar revolving restaurant on the 25th floor of the Hyatt Regency , while 360° set out in the middle of the Gulf at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, has great views of the citiy's ever changing coastline. For excellent views of the hotel, along with world famous Burj Al Arab, try Pier Chic off the beach in front of the Al Qasr hotel at Madinat Jumeirah (great seafood as well as views). The Madinat Jumeirah complex is a great night out in itself. You can while away an hour or two wandering around the souk like stalls and retail outlets, before choosing between various drinking and dining spots (there are over 45 set between the two hotels here and the souk). Recommended are The Left Bank (funky bar with cool, outside terrace), Trader Vic's (good food, waterfront location and live music/salsa dancing), and The Noodle House. And, if you're home-sick, there's always Double Decker at the Al Murooj Rotana - a stylish and trendy British Pub with menu featuring culinary delights from England, Wales, Scotland & Ireland. Live translation of the English Premier League & other major sport events; extended Happy Hour and DJ spinning the latest favourites all make it...well, packed! (Especially when the Rugby Sevens are on!).

No piece on Dubai is complete without a mention of the Burj Al Arab. Designed to resemble a billowing sail, the hotel soars to a height of 321 m and dominates the Dubai coastline. At night, it offers an unforgettable sight, lit up by choreographed colour sculptures of water and fire. Claimed to be the world's best hotel, the restaurants and bars - including the 200m Skyview bar - are said to offer unparalleled standards of quality and service. I say 'said to' because unless you're a resident (and I'll never be wealthy enough to stay there), you'll have to join an up to six month waiting list to eat a croissant there, let along drink a cocktail!

I have to say that wherever I have stayed, eaten, drunk or danced in Dubai I have never suffered bad or unfriendly service. The traffic jams can be very frustrating (the road system simply has not kept up with the building development and increase in population and there are now plans to build an underground system), and if you are going to a different area for the evening, leave plenty of time to get there. And, be warned, some of the taxi’s can be rather smelly!

Finally, there is one bit of off the beaten track you can do and that’s visit Al Seef Street at Dubai Creek where traditional wooden Dhows glide side by side with modern yachts. Head for Ruler’s Court where there are several inticing and traditional Arabic eating places - but, remember, no alcohol.

But remember, Dubai Airport Duty Free does sell alcohol

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